History of the Chancellorship

The chancellor is the chief academic and administrative officer of CU Denver. They report to University of Colorado President Todd Saliman. The president serves as the principal executive officer of the University of Colorado, inclusive of its four campuses (Anschutz, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver) and reports directly to the Board of Regents. The chancellor of each university campus is responsible for that university’s effective management in accordance with the policies of the Board of Regents.

CU Denver originated in 1912, when the University of Colorado’s Department of Correspondence and Extension was established in Denver. In 1965, the Extension Center was renamed the University of Colorado – Denver Center. In 1973, the state’s constitution was amended to establish additional CU campuses and the University of Colorado – Denver Center became the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver).

CU Denver merged with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (now CU Anschutz) in 2004 and the two campuses separated in 2014. The current chancellor, Kenneth T. Christensen, PhD, has served CU Denver since February 1, 2025.